Fabric attaching device



March 8, 1932. T. P. LOHRMAN 1,848,637

FABRIC ATTACHING DEVICE Filed Sept. 27, '1929 Patented Mar. 8, 1932 U N I E D S T TES THOMAS PAUL LOHRMAN, OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA FABRIC ATTACHIN G DEVICE Application filed September 27, 1929. Serial No. 395,695.

The invention relates to improvements in the attaching of fabrics to framework of meta1 construction, and the essentials of said invention were previously set forth by applicant 5 in an application (Serial No. 85,186) filed Feb. 1, 1926, for construction of closed vehicle bodies. As it is the applicants intention to abandon the above-mentioned application, it

7 is believed that the present application pre- 10 sents'the essentials in a more clear and precise form.

The invention provides a means of attaching fabrics to framework composed chiefly of metal construction; eliminates the necessity of tacking as a means of securing said fabrics; provides a more eflicient structure; and permits a construction economical of manufacture.

' ther objects appear hereinafter.

At present, automobile body manufacturers largely use the tacking method for securing upholstery materials and roofing fabrics to the framework. Such a method necessitates the employment of a composite type of frame work, which is expensive to manufacture, and in the cases where wooden frame-members are used, the durability of the body is thereby decreased, as the wooden members are more subjected to decay and rot caused by moisture.

Where the tacking method is used, it is also necessary to employ mouldings, bindings, or other accessories for concealing the tacks and raw edges of the material. The present invention eliminates such requirements. and is thereby more economical of construction.

While various means of securing fabrics to metal framework have been adapted by the vehicle body industry, none have meet the requirements of attaching of deck material to a metal roof structure without the aid of tacks or other conventional methods of construction. This is obviously due to the fact that the deck material is of such a texture which requires a very durable attaching means to overcome the stresses due to shrinkage of the material and other strains which a vehicle body is subject to. It is also obvious that a water tight edge must be obtained, to prevent leakage of the roof structure, and it 50 is believed that the present invention provides a more water tight structure than is possible where the conventional tacking methods are employed.

Another feature of the present invention is the detachability afforded through the especial design of the retainer B. This feature would be desirable for employment in such structures as convertible vehicle tops and the like, which require parts of the deck fabric to be detached whenever the tops are folded back and converted into an open vehicle. In addition to providing a water-tight scam, the retainer B has this detachable feature, and can bedetached from, or inserted within the channel A with as much facility as an ordinary snap-fastener attachment.

The combination and arrangement of parts will be fully understood by referring to the drawings; which form a part of this specifica tion, and in which,

Fig. 1' is a fragmentary perspective view of apiece of fabric attached to framework.

Fig. 2, shows the essential parts, as separate one from another. A

3, shows the essential parts when assembled.

As shown in the drawings, a channel A represents the rigid frame member, and while this channel might be of sufficient shape and size to provide a complete frame member, it will be noted that owing to the nature of the channel, it is obvious that a more elaborate frame member might be fabricated to provide greater strength and rigidity, but the channel as shown must form an essential part of the frame-member.

In conjunction with channel A is a flexible member B which is so formed as to provide a means of securing the fabric member C to the channel A. Previous to mounting the fabric C to the channel A, the retaining member B is sewed or otherwise secured to the fabric member O as indicated by the letter D. The fabric C is then easily attached to the channel A, by pressing the member B into the channel A. The member B is provided with a protruding edge portion which engages behind an inwardly turned flange of the channel A. The stresses of the fabric C pull the member B directly against this flange portion of the member A, which prevents the Withdrawal of the member B due to any stresses which might be placed on the I member B through the fabric C. i 5 It will also be noted by the drawings, that the member B could be covered with a fabric E to match With the fabric C, if so desired;

however, this is not a necessary element to the structure embodied in this invention, as the member B can be fabricated of a composite rubber material of desirable texture and color to afford a finished appearance,

It is believed that the appended claims place the proper limitations, While at the same time afford the desired advantages which I wish to secure by Letters Patent.

WhatI claim to be new is:

1. A fabric-attaching device comprising a channel-like frame member having an inwardly turned flange portion; a resilient re- 'taining member having a protruding edge portion secured to the edge of a fabric material and adapted for locking the edge portion of said fabric material Within said channellike frame member; said retaining member being s10 formed and secured to said fabric material as to provide a detachable unit capable of being attached to or detached from said frame member Without altering Vthe composite parts. I

' 2; A fabric-attaching device comprisinga channel-shaped frame member having an inwardly turned flange'portion; a resilient retaining member having a protruding edge portion secured tothe edge of a fabric material, and adapted for locking the edge portion of said fabric within said channel-shaped frame member; said retaining member being so formed as to provide a detachable unit and capable of normally resisting the Withdrawal of said fabric from said channel-shaped frame member. V

3: A fabric-attaching device comprising a channel-shaped frame member having an in= 4 ardly turned flange portion; a resilient re= taining member having a protruding edge portion securedto'the edge of a. fabric material and adapted for locking the edge portion of said fabric Within said channel shaped frame member; said retaining member being so formed as to provide a detachable unit and capable of normallyvresieting the WithdraWal pf said fabric from said channelshap'ed frame member, and requiring. no fas tening means for securing said retaining member ithin said channel THOMAS PAUL LOHRMAN 

